,NU 170 EXAM 4 Maternal-Child Nursing Questions And Answers
2026/2027 Galen College
Q1. What period is referred to as the puerperium?
A) The first 24 hours after birth
B) The first 2 weeks after birth
C) Approximately the first 6 weeks after birth
D) The first year after birth
Correct Answer: C) Approximately the first 6 weeks after birth
Rationale: The puerperium is the postpartum period during which the
mother's reproductive organs and other body systems return toward the
nonpregnant state.
Q2. Which maternal assessment is the priority during the immediate
postpartum period?
A) Hair and skin changes
B) Fundal tone and vaginal bleeding
C) Long-term exercise preferences
D) Return-to-work plans
Correct Answer: B) Fundal tone and vaginal bleeding
Rationale: Uterine atony and postpartum hemorrhage can develop rapidly,
making fundal tone and blood loss priority assessments.
Q3. Which finding indicates an appropriately contracted postpartum
uterus?
A) Boggy and difficult to locate
B) Firm and midline
C) Soft and displaced to the right
D) Firm and several centimeters above the umbilicus
Correct Answer: B) Firm and midline
Rationale: A firm, contracted uterus helps compress the uterine blood vessels
and limit postpartum bleeding.
Q4. The nurse palpates a boggy postpartum fundus. What should
the nurse do first?
A) Encourage the client to sleep
B) Massage the fundus
, C) Apply a heating pad
D) Encourage vigorous ambulation
Correct Answer: B) Massage the fundus
Rationale: Fundal massage stimulates uterine contraction and is an
immediate intervention for uterine atony.
Q5. A postpartum client's fundus is firm but displaced to the right.
What should the nurse suspect?
A) Bladder distention
B) Placental abruption
C) Uterine rupture
D) Hypoglycemia
Correct Answer: A) Bladder distention
Rationale: A full bladder can push the uterus away from the midline and
interfere with effective uterine contraction.
**Q6. Which action is appropriate when a postpartum fundus is displaced
upward and to the right?
A) Assess for bladder fullness and encourage voiding
B) Apply direct heat to the fundus
C) Place the client prone
D) Restrict oral fluids
Correct Answer: A) Assess for bladder fullness and encourage voiding
Rationale: Emptying the bladder allows the uterus to return toward the
midline and improves uterine contraction.
**Q7. Which postpartum finding is most concerning for hemorrhage?
A) Firm fundus with scant lochia
B) Heavy vaginal bleeding with a boggy uterus
C) Mild uterine cramping
D) Gradually decreasing lochia
Correct Answer: B) Heavy vaginal bleeding with a boggy uterus
Rationale: A boggy uterus indicates uterine atony, a major cause of
postpartum hemorrhage.
2026/2027 Galen College
Q1. What period is referred to as the puerperium?
A) The first 24 hours after birth
B) The first 2 weeks after birth
C) Approximately the first 6 weeks after birth
D) The first year after birth
Correct Answer: C) Approximately the first 6 weeks after birth
Rationale: The puerperium is the postpartum period during which the
mother's reproductive organs and other body systems return toward the
nonpregnant state.
Q2. Which maternal assessment is the priority during the immediate
postpartum period?
A) Hair and skin changes
B) Fundal tone and vaginal bleeding
C) Long-term exercise preferences
D) Return-to-work plans
Correct Answer: B) Fundal tone and vaginal bleeding
Rationale: Uterine atony and postpartum hemorrhage can develop rapidly,
making fundal tone and blood loss priority assessments.
Q3. Which finding indicates an appropriately contracted postpartum
uterus?
A) Boggy and difficult to locate
B) Firm and midline
C) Soft and displaced to the right
D) Firm and several centimeters above the umbilicus
Correct Answer: B) Firm and midline
Rationale: A firm, contracted uterus helps compress the uterine blood vessels
and limit postpartum bleeding.
Q4. The nurse palpates a boggy postpartum fundus. What should
the nurse do first?
A) Encourage the client to sleep
B) Massage the fundus
, C) Apply a heating pad
D) Encourage vigorous ambulation
Correct Answer: B) Massage the fundus
Rationale: Fundal massage stimulates uterine contraction and is an
immediate intervention for uterine atony.
Q5. A postpartum client's fundus is firm but displaced to the right.
What should the nurse suspect?
A) Bladder distention
B) Placental abruption
C) Uterine rupture
D) Hypoglycemia
Correct Answer: A) Bladder distention
Rationale: A full bladder can push the uterus away from the midline and
interfere with effective uterine contraction.
**Q6. Which action is appropriate when a postpartum fundus is displaced
upward and to the right?
A) Assess for bladder fullness and encourage voiding
B) Apply direct heat to the fundus
C) Place the client prone
D) Restrict oral fluids
Correct Answer: A) Assess for bladder fullness and encourage voiding
Rationale: Emptying the bladder allows the uterus to return toward the
midline and improves uterine contraction.
**Q7. Which postpartum finding is most concerning for hemorrhage?
A) Firm fundus with scant lochia
B) Heavy vaginal bleeding with a boggy uterus
C) Mild uterine cramping
D) Gradually decreasing lochia
Correct Answer: B) Heavy vaginal bleeding with a boggy uterus
Rationale: A boggy uterus indicates uterine atony, a major cause of
postpartum hemorrhage.
